SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
RTE RLY
At VA t
FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIAN LIVIN
SENIOR DIVISION, No. 279, FIRST QUARTER, 1965
THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUD'
"The beauty and riches of the Word have a transforming influencq'
mind and character."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 132.
"There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the sitid)1
of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to gi'v
vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If Godi'i
Word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, I
nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times."
Steps to Christ,
page 9o.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I pledge
myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sabbath schooI
lesson each day of the week.
Nets
Lesson Titles for the Quarter
1.
God Is Fitting Men for His Eternal Kingdom
2.
How a Sinner Becomes a Saint
3.
Christianity and the Christian
4.
On Becoming a Christian—Steps to Christ
.5. The Christian's Heart and Mind
6.
The Christian's Body
7.
The Christian's Possessions
8.
The Christian's Time
9.
The Christian's Home and Family
10.
The Christian's Friends and Recreation
11.
The Christian and His Church
12.
The Christian and His Community
13.
The Christian and His Eternal Reward
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 279, January-March, 1965. 20 cents a single copy, 75 cents a
year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A.
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Copyright, 1964, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The most powerful argument for Chris-
4
1
ianity is a loving and lovable Christian,
One who knows what the Bible says about
him and who lives out that instruction in
his everyday life. The world is looking for
uch people, is expecting such a life from
them, and is disappointed when realization
falls short of expectation. This series of
Sabbath school lessons on
Fundamentals of
Christian Living
is designed to set forth
the instruction of the Bible and the spirit
of prophecy on various phases of the Chris-
tian life. May the study of these lessons be
a blessing to all Sabbath school members.
Lesson 1, for January 2, 1965
God Is Fitting Men for His Eternal Kingdom
MEMORY VERSE: "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what man-
ner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" 2 Peter
3:11.
STUDY HELPS: "The Great Controversy," pages 647-652 (1950 ed., pp. 637-643);
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 281, 406-411 (1923 ed., pp. 283, 416-419).
AIM: To show that the supreme purpose of this life is preparation for the next.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Tuesday:
Questions 7-9.
0
Sunday: Learn memory verse; Intro-
Wednesday:
Questions 10-12.
0
duction; questions 1-3.
❑
Thursday:
Read study helps.
0
Monday: Questions 4-6.
❑
Friday:
Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I.
A Better World to Come
1.
The kingdom of God our supreme
interest. Matt. 6:33; 1 John
2:15-17.
2.
Looking for a better country. Heb.
11:10, 13, 14, 16.
3.
A glimpse of that better land. Isa.
65:17-19, 21, 22; Rev. 21:1-4.
4.
The kind of people God wants in
His kingdom. Rev. 21:7, 8.
II.
As God Sees Mankind
5.
Only two classes. Matt. 25:31-33.
6.
The two classes contrasted. Rom.
8:7-10.
7.
God's plea to His people. Deut.
30:15, 19.
[3]
Ill. The Need of Self-Examination
8.
Let a man examine himself. 2 Cor.
13:5.
9.
Seeing ourselves as God sees us.
Rev. 3:15-17.
10.
Heeding Christ's counsel. Rev.
3:18, 19.
11.
Eternal life defined. John 17:3.
12.
Preparation for the kingdom of
God. 2 Peter 3:11-14.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"The Lord is fitting a people for heaven.
The defects of character, the stubborn will,
the selfish idolatry, the indulgence of fault-
finding, hatred, and contention, provoke
the wrath of God and must be put away
from His commandment-keeping people.
Those living in these sins are deceived and
blinded by the wiles of
Satan."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 4, p. 180.
A Better World to Come
1.
What contrasting attitudes
should the Christian maintain toward
the kingdom of God and toward this
world, and for what reason? Matt.
6:33; 1 John 2:15-17.
2.
For what did Abraham look,
and with what assurance? Heb. 11:
10, 13, 14, 16.
3.
What glimpses of a new heaven
and a new earth are given by Isaiah
and John? Isa. 65:17-19, 21, 22; Rev.
21:1-4.
NoTE.—"In the Bible the inheritance of
the saved is called 'a country.' Hebrews 11:
14-16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads
His flock to fountains of living waters. The
tree
of life yields its fruit every month, and
the leaves of the tree are for the service of
the nations. There are ever-flowing streams,
clear as crystal, and beside them waving
trees cast their shadows upon the paths
prepared for the ransomed of the Lord.
There the wide-spreading plains swell into
hills of beauty, and the mountains of Go.'d
rear their lofty summits. On those peacefi.41
plains, beside those living streams, God'ti,
people, so long pilgrims and wanderers,
shall find a home."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
page 675.
4.
What kind of people will in-
herit God's kingdom, and what kind
will be excluded? Rev. 21:7, 8.
NoTE.—"A man is estimated at his true
value by the Lord of heaven. If he is un-
kind in his earthly home, he is unfit for the
heavenly home. If he will have his own
way, no matter whom it grieves, he would
not be content in heaven, unless he could
rule there."—Ellen G. White,
My Life To-
day,
page 98.
As God Sees Mankind
5.
In the judgment, into how many
classes does God divide mankind?
Matt. 25:31-33.
NoTE.—"There are only two classes in
the world today, and only two classes will
be recognized in the judgment—those who
violate God's law and those who obey it.
Christ gives the test by which to prove our
loyalty or disloyalty."—Christ's
Object Les-
sons,
page 283.
"The eternal God has drawn the line of
distinction between the saints and the sin-
ners, the converted and the unconverted.
The two classes do not blend into each
other imperceptibly, like the colors of the
rainbow. They are as distinct as midday
and
midnight."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 87. See also pages 133, 139;
The Desire
of Ages,
page 763.
[
4]
6.
How are these two classes con-
rasted in the present life? Rom. 8:
-10.
NOTE.—"Those who receive Christ by
aith as their personal Saviour cannot be
harmony with the world. There are two
istinct classes: One is loyal to God, keep-
hg
His commandments, while the other
alks and acts like the world, casting away
he Word of God, which is truth, and ac-
epting the words of the apostate, who re-
ected
Jesus."—Testimonies to Ministers,
>age 139.
7.
Of the two ways the Lord an-
:iently set before His people, which
lid He plead with them to choose?
Deut. 30:15, 19.
NOTE.—"God had set before Israel 'life
tnd death, blessing and cursing' (Deuter-
)nomy 30:19) ; and how repeatedly they
had been urged to choose the way of life,
that they might become a praise in the
earth, a blessing to all
nations."—Prophets
Ind Kings,
page 393.
The Need of Self-Examination
8.
What earnest counsel did Paul
give with reference to the Corinthi-
ans' personal experience? 2 Cor. 13:5.
pend on faithfulness in this work. As
Christians we are less thorough in self-
examination than in anything else; it is no
wonder, then, that we make such slow ad-
vancement in understanding
self."—Testi-
monies, vol.
5, pp. 332, 333.
9.
How does the Laodicean church
appear before God? Rev. 3:15-17.
10.
In view of this condition, what
counsel is given? Rev. 3:18, 19.
NoTa.—"Come with your whole heart to
Jesus. Repent of your sins, make confession
to God, forsake all iniquity, and you may
appropriate to yourself all His promises.
`Look unto Me, and be ye saved,' is His
gracious invitation.
"The day will come when the awful de-
nunciation of God's wrath will be uttered
against all who have persisted in their dis-
loyalty to Him. This will be when God
must speak and do terrible things in righ-
teousness against the transgressors of His
law. But you need not be among those who
will come under the wrath of God. It is
now the day of His salvation. The light
from the cross of Calvary is now shining
forth in clear, bright rays, revealing Jesus,
our Sacrifice for
sin."—Testimonies, vol.
5,
pp. 634, 635.
11.
How did Jesus define eternal
life? John 17:3.
Nora.—"There must be persevering effort
to overcome selfishness and self-confidence.
Self-examination must be thorough, that
there be no danger of self-deception. A lit-
tle catechizing of self on special occasions
is not sufficient. Daily examine the foun-
dation of your hope, and see whether you
are indeed in the love of Christ. Deal truly
with your own hearts, for you cannot af-
ford to run any risk here. Count the cost
of being a wholehearted Christian, and then
gird on the armor. Study the Pattern; look
to Jesus, and be like Him. Your peace of
mind, your hope of eternal salvation, de-
NOTE.—"Through the knowledge of God
and of His Son Jesus Christ, are given to
the believer 'all things that pertain unto life
and godliness.' No good gift is withheld
from him who sincerely desires to obtain
the righteousness of God.
"'This is life eternal,' Christ said, 'that
they might know Thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.'
. . . Scarcely can the human mind compre-
hend the breadth and depth and height of
the spiritual attainments of him who gains
this knowledge.
"None need fail of attaining, in his
sphere, to perfection of Christian character.
By the sacrifice of Christ, provision has
been made for the believer to receive all
things that pertain to life and godliness.
God calls upon us to reach the standard of
perfection and places before us the example
of Christ's character. In His humanity,
perfected by a life of constant resistance of
evil, the Saviour showed that through co-
operation with Divinity, human beings
may in this life attain to perfection of char-
acter. This is God's assurance to us that
we, too, may obtain complete victory."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 531.
12. In view of the coming destruc-
tion of the world, to what admonition
should we give heed? 2 Peter
3:
11-14.
Thoughts for Meditation
1.
"We can be fitted for heaven oni
through the work of the Holy Spirit upo
the heart. . . . It is the work of the Hol
Spirit to elevate the taste, to sanctify
t4
heart, to ennoble the whole man."—El
l4
G. White, in
Review and Herald,
Nov. '
1892.
2.
"The life of Christ on earth was
perfect expression of God's law, and wh
those who claim to be children of Go
become Christlike in character, they wi
be obedient to God's commandments. The]
the Lord can trust them to be of the num
ber who shall compose the family o
heaven."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 315
3.
Only by examination of our hearts
and daily cooperation with the Holy Spirit
can we be fitted for the society of angel
and the redeemed.
Lesson 2, for January 9, 1965
How a Sinner Becomes a Saint
MEMORY VERSE:
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.
STUDY HELPS:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 486, 487, 586-592; "The Desire of
Ages," pages 309, 310; "Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," page 18
(1943 ed., p. 34); "S.D.A. Bible Commentary."
AIM:
To set forth Heaven's plan for saving lost men.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
0
Wednesday:
Questions 9-11.
❑
Sunday:
Introduction; questions 1-4.
0
Thursday: Questions 12, 13.
1:1
Monday: Questions 5-8.
0
Friday:
Review entire lesson.
0
Tuesday:
Read study helps.
❑
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. The Sinner Lost in Sin
1.
Sin separates from God. Isa. 59:
1, 2.
2.
Man born in sin. Rom. 5:12; Ps.
51:5.
[
3.
The sinner described. Rom. 1:18,
28-32.
4.
The wages of sin. James 1:14, 15.
II. The Sinner's Need of a Saviour
5.
The cry of the convicted sinner's
heart. Rom. 7:24.
6.
Jesus is man's Saviour. Rom. 7:25
to 8:3.
7.
The gospel of Christ. Rom.
1:16, 17.
8.
Saved by grace through faith. Eph.
2:8, 9.
II. Imputed Righteousness
9.
Jesus, man's righteousness. 1 Cor.
1:30.
10.
Conditions of entrance into God's
kingdom. Rom. 3:21-24.
11.
Past sins remitted. Rom. 3:25.
IV. Imparted Righteousness
12.
Sanctification. Rom. 6:3, 4, 11, 12.
13.
Obtained through faith. 1 Peter
1:2, 5.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"All who would enter the City of God
nust during their earthly life set forth
,',hrist in their dealings. It is this that con-
stitutes them the messengers of Christ, His
witnesses. They are to bear a plain, de-
:Wed testimony against all evil practices,
Dointing sinners to the Lamb of God, who
Laketh away the sin of the world. He gives
o all who receive Him, power to become
the sons of God. Regeneration is the only
path by which we can enter the City of
God. It is narrow, and the gate by which
we enter is strait; but along it we are to
lead men and women and children, teach-
ing them that in order to be saved, they
must have a new heart and a new spirit.
The old, hereditary traits of character must
be overcome. The natural desires of the
soul must be changed. All deception, all
falsifying, all evilspeaking, must be put
away. The new life, which makes men
and women Christlike, is to be lived."—
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 23.
The Sinner Lost in Sin
1.
What separates man from God?
Isa. 59:1, 2.
2.
How do men come by a sinful
nature? Rom. 5:12; Ps. 51:5.
3.
How are sinners described?
Rom. 1:18, 28-32.
4.
What is the end result of sin?
James 1:14, 15. Compare Rom. 6:23.
NoTE.—"Man was originally endowed
with noble powers and a well-balanced
mind. He was perfect in his being, and in
harmony with God. His thoughts were
pure, his aims holy. But through dis-
obedience, his powers were perverted, and
selfishness took the place of love. His na-
ture became so weakened through trans-
gression that it was impossible for him, in
his own strength, to resist the power of
evil. He was made captive by Satan, and
would have remained so forever had not
God specially interposed. It was the temp-
ter's purpose to thwart the divine plan in
man's creation, and fill the earth with woe
and desolation. And he would point to all
this evil as the result of God's work in
creating
man."—Steps to Christ,
page 17.
"In his sinless state, man held joyful
communion with Him `in whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.'
Colossians 2:3. But after his sin, he could
no longer find joy in holiness, and he
sought to hide from the presence of God.
. . . The sinner could not be happy in
God's presence; he would shrink from the
companionship of holy beings. Could he be
permitted to enter heaven, it would have
no joy for him. . . . His thoughts, his in-
terests, his motives, would be alien to those
that actuate the sinless dwellers there. He
would be a discordant note in the melody
of heaven. Heaven would be to him a place
of torture. . . . The wicked . . . are shut
out by their own unfitness for its compan-
ionship. The glory of God would be to
them a consuming
fire."—Ibid.,
pp. 17, 18.
The Sinner's Need of a Saviour
5.
When Paul realized his helpless
condition, what was the cry of his
heart? Rom. 7:24. Compare Ps. 51:
1, 2, 10.
[71
NoTE.—"By sin we have been severed
from the life of God. Our souls are palsied.
Of ourselves we are no more capable of liv-
ing a holy life than was the impotent man
capable of walking. There are many who
realize their helplessness, and who long for
that spiritual life which will bring them
into harmony with God; they are vainly
striving to obtain it. In despair they cry,
'0 wretched man that I am! who shall
deliver me from this body of death?' Rom.
7:24, margin. Let these desponding, strug-
gling ones look up. The Saviour is bend-
ing over the purchase of His blood, saying
with inexpressible tenderness and pity, 'Wilt
thou be made whole?' He bids you arise
in health and peace. Do not wait to feel
that you are made whole. Believe His
word, and it will be fulfilled. Put your will
on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him,
and in acting upon His word you will re-
ceive strength. Whatever may be the evil
practice, the master passion which through
long indulgence binds both soul and body,
Christ is able and longs to deliver. He will
impart life to the soul that is 'dead in
trespasses.' Eph. 2:1. He will
set
free the
captive that is held by weakness and mis-
fortune and the chains of
sin."—The Desire
of Ages,
page 203.
6.
To meet this need, what means
of deliverance had been provided?
Rom. 7:25 to 8:3.
7.
What is the gospel declared to
be and to reveal? Rom. 1:16, 17.
NOTE.—"The
giving of the gospel to the
world is the work that God has committed
to those who bear His name. For earth's
sin and misery the gospel is the only anti-
dote. To make known to all mankind the
message of the grace of God is the first
work of those who know its healing power."
—The Ministry of Healing,
page
141.
8.
How is the sinner saved? Eph.
2:8, 9.
NOTE.—"It is impossible for us, of our-
selves, to escape from the pit of sin in
which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil
and we cannot change them. . . . Educa
tion, culture, the exercise of the will, hu
man effort, all have their proper sphere
but here they are powerless. They ma:
produce an outward correctness of be
havior, but they cannot change the heart
they cannot purify the springs of life
There must be a power working fron
within, a new life from above, before mei
can be changed from sin to holiness. Tha
power is Christ. His grace alone cal
quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, am
attract it to God, to holiness."—Steps tc
Christ,
page 18.
Imputed Righteousness
9.
What was Jesus Christ made foe
us? 1 Cor. 1:30.
10.
How only may the sinner be
justified, or declared righteous? Rom.
3:21-24.
NOTE.—"The condition of eternal life is
now just what it always has been— . . .
perfect obedience to the law of God, per-
fect righteousness."—Steps
to Christ,
page
62.
"The law requires righteousness,—a righ-
teous life, a perfect character; and this man
has not to give. . . . But Christ, coming
to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and
developed a perfect character. These He
offers as a free gift to all who will receive
them. His life stands for the life of men.
Thus they have remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 762.
"Christ perfected a righteous character
here upon the earth, not on His own ac-
count, for His character was pure and
spotless, but for fallen man. His character
He offers to man if he will accept it. The
sinner, through repentance of his sins, faith
in Christ, and obedience to the perfect law
of God, has the righteousness of Christ im-
puted to him; it becomes his righteousness,
and his name is recorded in the Lamb's
book of life. He becomes a child of God,
[ 8 ]
"God calls upon us to burst
the bands of our precise, in-
door service. The message of
the gospel is to be borne in
the cities and outside of the
cities."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, p. 84.
a member of the royal
family."—Testi-
monies, vol.
3, pp. 371, 372.
"The thought that the righteousness of
Christ is imputed to us, not because of
any merit on our part, but as a free gift
from God, is a precious thought. The
enemy of God and man is not willing that
this truth should be clearly presented; for
he knows that if the people receive it fully,
his power will be
broken."—Gospel Work-
ers,
page 161.
11. In His forbearances what did
God do? Rom. 3:25.
and as we realize this presence, our thoughts
are brought into captivity to Jesus Christ.
Our spiritual exercises are in accordance
with the vividness of our sense of this
companionship. Enoch walked with God in
this way; and Christ is dwelling in our
hearts by faith when we will consider what
He is to us, and what a work He has
wrought out for us in the plan of redemp-
tion. . . . I want to impress upon your
mind that you may have a divine com-
panion with you, if you will, always."—
Testimonies to Ministers,
page 388.
13. How is this experience made
possible? 1 Peter 1:2, 5.
NorE.—"We do not earn salvation by our
obedience; for salvation is the free gift of
God, to be received by faith. But obedience
is the fruit of faith. . . . That so-called
faith in Christ which professes to release
men from the obligation of obedience to
God, is not faith, but presumption."—Steps
to Christ,
page 61.
Thoughts for Meditation
NOTE.—"Thus they have remission of
sins that are past, through the forbearance
of
God."—The Desire of Ages,
page 762.
Imparted Righteousness
12. Into what experience is the
justified one to be led? Rom. 6:3, 4,
11, 12.
NorE.—"More than this, Christ imbues
men with the attributes of God. He builds
up the human character after the similitude
of the divine character, a goodly fabric of
spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the
very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in
the believer in Christ."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 762.
"We are abiding in Christ by
a
living
faith. He is abiding in our hearts by our
individual appropriating of faith. We have
the companionship of the divine presence,
1.
All men have sinned, and their sins
have separated them from God and His
kingdom.
2.
The wages for sin is death. All sin
and sinners will be destroyed.
3.
Only those who are clothed with the
righteousness of Christ will enter God's
everlasting kingdom.
4.
Man's righteousness is like "filthy
rags." Man cannot change or save himself.
5.
While we were yet sinners, God gave
His Son to become our righteousness. His
death paid the penalty for our sins. His
righteousness is imputed to us for our justi-
fication and imparted to us for our sancti-
fication.
"So we have nothing in ourselves of
which to boast. We have no ground for
self-exaltation. Our only ground of hope is
in the righteousness of Christ imputed to
us, and in that wrought by His Spirit work-
ing in and through
us."—Steps to Christ,
page 63.
[9]
Lesson 3, for January 16, 1965
Christianity and the Christian
MEMORY VERSE: "I
am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not
I,
bu
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faitl
of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20.
STUDY HELPS:
"Testimonies," vol. 2, pp. 588-594; "Gospel Workers," pages 282
283; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary."
AIM:
To define Christianity as a divine-human relationship.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.
❑
Monday: Questions 5-8.
❑
Tuesday: Read study helps.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 9-12.
Thursday: Read study helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. God and Man
1.
What is man? Ps. 8:3, 4; 144:3, 4.
2.
God's love for man. John 3:16;
Rom. 5:8.
3.
Christ's redemption of man. Col.
1:13, 14, 21.
4.
Man built into the temple of the
Lord. Eph. 2:19-22.
II. The One True God
5.
There is but one God. Isa. 45:5, 22.
6.
Creatorship the mark of the true
God. Jer. 10:10-12; Isa. 40:25, 26.
7.
God's supremacy. Eph. 4:6; Acts
17:24-27.
8.
The prayer of the righteous. Ps.
16:1, 8.
III. The Meaning of Christianity
9.
True religion. James 1:27.
10.
Christ and Christianity. Matt. 25:
34-40; 10:42.
11.
The indwelling Christ. Col. 1:27;
Eph. 3:17-19.
12.
Fellowship with Christ. Gal. 2:20.
THE
LESSON
Introduction
"The Lord Jesus was the foundation of
the whole Jewish economy. . . . But the
Jews had exalted the forms and ceremonies
and had lost sight of their object. . . .
These maxims and traditions became an
obstacle to their understanding and prac-
tice of true religion. . . . They demanded
signs instead of a Saviour. . . . Not by
force of arms, not by violent interpositions,
was the kingdom of God to prevail, but by
the implanting of a new principle in the
hearts of
men."--Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 34, 35.
God and Man
1. What questions does Inspiration
ask concerning man? Ps. 8:3, 4; 144:
3, 4.
[10
1
NOTE,—"In the apostasy, man alienated
himself from God; earth was cut off from
heaven. Across the gulf that lay between,
there could be no communion."—Steps
to
Christ,
page 20.
2.
How did God show His love for
man? John 3:16; Rom. 5:8.
Norc.—"Through Christ, earth is again
linked with heaven. With His own merits,
Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had
made, so that the ministering angels can
hold communion with man. Christ con-
nects fallen man in his weakness and help-
lessness with the Source of infinite power.
. . . The only way to God is Christ."—
Steps to Christ,
pages 20, 21.
3.
What did Christ do for hopeless,
helpless man? Col. 1:13, 14, 21.
4.
What change in status comes to
those who accept God's gift? Eph.
2:19-22.
The One True God
5.
In what words does the Bible
emphasize that there is but one true
God? Isa. 45:5, 22.
NorE.—"The revelation of Himself that
God has given in His Word is for our
study. This we may seek to understand.
But beyond this we are not to penetrate.
The highest intellect may tax itself until it
is wearied out in conjectures regarding the
nature of God; but the effort will be fruit-
less. This problem has not been given us to
solve. No human mind can comprehend
God. Let not finite man attempt to inter-
pret Him. Let none indulge in speculation
regarding His nature. Here silence is elo-
quence. The Omniscient One is above
dis-
cussion."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 279.
"As we learn more and more of what
God is, and of what we ourselves are in
His sight, we shall fear and tremble before
Him."—Ibid.,
p. 283.
6.
How is the true God distin-
guished? Jer. 10:10-12; Isa. 40:25, 26.
NOTE.—"God's claim to reverence and
worship, above the gods of the heathen, is
based upon the fact that He is the Creator,
and that to Him all other beings owe their
existence. Thus it is presented in the Bible."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 336.
7.
How is the supremacy of God
affirmed? Eph. 4:6; Acts 17:24-27.
Nurc.—"He pointed His hearers to the
Ruler of the universe, under the new name,
`Our Father.' He would have them under-
stand how tenderly the heart of God
yearned over them. He teaches that God
cares for every lost soul; that 'like as a
father pitieth his children, so the Lord
pitieth them that fear Him.' Psalm 103:13.
Such a conception of God was never given
to the world by any religion but that of
the Bible. Heathenism teaches men to look
upon the Supreme Being as an object of
fear rather than of love—a malign deity to
be appeased by sacrifices, rather than a
Father pouring upon His children the gift
of His love. . . .
"It is not because of inherent power that
year by year the earth produces her boun-
ties and continues her motion round the
sun. The hand of God guides the planets
and keeps them in position in their orderly
march through the heavens. It is through
His power that summer and winter, seed-
time and harvest, day and night follow
each other in their regular succession. It is
by His word that vegetation flourishes, that
the leaves appear and the flowers bloom.
Every good thing we have, each ray of
sunshine and shower of rain, every morsel
of food, every moment of life, is a gift of
love."—Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-
ing,
pages 74, 75.
8.
What, therefore, should be the
trustful prayer of the righteous? Ps.
16:1, 8.
NorE.—"It is Christ first and last and al-
ways. He is to be with us, not only at the
beginning and the end of our course, but
at every step of the
way."—Steps to Christ,
page 69.
The Meaning of Christianity
9.
How is true religion defined?
James 1:27.
Nora.—"Bible religion is not one influ-
ence among many others; its influence is to
be supreme, pervading and controlling every
other. It is not to be like a dash of color
brushed here and there upon the canvas,
but it is to pervade the whole life, as if the
canvas were dipped into the color, until
every thread of the fabric were dyed a
deep, unfading hue."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 312.
"Religion, pure and undefiled, ennobles
its possessor. You will ever find with the
true Christian a marked cheerfulness, a
holy, happy confidence in God, a submis-
sion to His providences, that is refreshing
to the
soul."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 377.
10.
How is practical religion set
forth in the teachings of Jesus? Matt.
25:34-40; 10:42.
NOTE.—"Religion is not merely an emo-
tion, a feeling. It is a principle which is
interwoven with all the daily duties and
transactions of life. Nothing will be enter-
tained, no business engaged in, which will
prevent the accompaniment of this princi-
ple. To retain pure and undefiled religion,
it is necessary to be workers, persevering in
effort. We must do something ourselves.
No one else can do our work. None but
ourselves can work out our salvation with
fear and trembling. This is the very work
which the Lord has left for us to do."—
Testimonies, vol.
2, p. 506.
"Our profession of faith may proclaim
the theory of religion, but it is our practical
piety that holds forth the word of truth.
The consistent life, the holy conversation,
the unswerving integrity, the active, benevo-
"Christianity will make a
man a gentleman. Christ was
courteous, even to His per-
secutors; and His true fol-
lowers will manifest the
same spirit."—The
Ministry
of Healing,
page 489.
lent spirit, the godly example,—these are
the mediums through which light is con-
veyed to the world."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 307.
11.
What experience is compre-
hended in Christianity? Col. 1:27;
Eph. 3:17-19.
NOTE.—Christianity is "Christ in you, the
hope of glory." The very nature of Christ
must be implanted in you—Christ's mind,
Christ's thoughts, Christ's motives, Christ's
feelings, Christ's words, Christ's acts, be-
come the very warp and woof of the Chris-
tian's life. These will make a man a Chris-
tian—a real Christian. That is the meaning
of Christianity.
"Gospel religion is Christ in the life—a
living, active principle. It is the grace of
Christ revealed in character and wrought
out in good works. The principles of the
gospel cannot be disconnected from any
department of practical life. Every line of
Christian experience and labor is to be a
representation of the life of Christ."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 384.
12.
How is this fellowship with
Christ further emphasized? Gal. 2:20.
NoTE.—"Christianity—how
many there
are who do not know what it is! It is not
something put on the outside. It is a life
inwrought with the life of Jesus. It means
that we are wearing the robe of Christ's
righteousness."—Testimonies
to Ministers,
page 131.
"Christianity has a much broader mean-
[ 12 ]
ing than many have hitherto given it. It is
not a creed. It is the word of Him who
liveth and abideth forever. It is a living,
animating principle, that takes possession
of mind, heart, motives, and the entire man.
Christianity—oh, that we might experience
its operations
!"—Ibid.,
pp. 421, 422.
Thoughts for Meditation
1. Too many people have a wrong con-
ception of Christianity. They have the
idea that Christianity is a philosophy to
talk about and debate.
2.
The Christian religion is something to
be, something to do, something to affect
every transaction, every business and social
relationship, every phase of everyday life.
3.
The strongest and most powerful ar-
gument for Christianity is a loving and
lovable Christian.
4.
God belongs to every man, every tribe,
every nation, every people; and you and
I who know Him are under obligation to
go and make Him known to as many people
as we can reach. Making God known by
precept and by example—that is the busi-
ness of Christians everywhere.
Lesson 4, for January 23, 1965
On Becoming a Christian—Steps to Christ
MEMORY VERSE:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. 6:17,
18.
STUDY HELPS:
"Testimonies," vol. 9, pp. 165, 166; "The Desire of Ages," pages
519-523; "Christ's Object
Lessons,"
pages 402-404 (1923 ed., pp. 410-413);
"S.D.A. Bible Commentary."
AIM:
To review the various steps by which men come to Christ and find salvation
in Him.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Read Introduction;
questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-6.
❑
Check Here
Tuesday: Read study helps.
❑
Wednesday: Questions
7-10.
Thursday: Questions 11-13.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. The Call to Become Christians
II. The Call to Surrender
1.
The business of the Christian
4. The Master's call. Matt. 4:18-22;
church. Matt. 28:19, 20.
9:9.
2.
Separation from the world.
5. The meaning of surrender. Luke
2 Cor. 6:17, 18.
14:33.
3.
Sons of God. Rom. 8:14-17.
6. Christ the way. John 14:6.
[13
]
III. The Steps to Christ-The Way Back
to God
7.
A new birth. John 3:3.
8.
Conversion. Acts 3:19.
9.
Repentance. Acts 2:37, 38.
10.
Confession. Prov. 28:13; 1 John
1:9.
11.
Justification. Rom. 4:22 to 5:1.
12.
Adoption. Gal. 4:4-6; Rom.
8:14, 15.
13.
Sanctification. 1 Thess. 3:13;
5:23.
THE LESSON
"In the apostles of our Lord there was
nothing to bring glory to themselves. It
was evident that the success of their labors
was due only to God. The lives of these
men, the characters they developed, and the
mighty work that God wrought through
them, are a testimony to what He will do
for all who are teachable and obedient."-
The Desire of Ages,
pages 249, 250.
5. What is the meaning of a full
surrender? Luke 14:33.
Introduction
"When we submit ourselves to Christ, the
heart is united with His heart, the will is
merged in His will, the mind becomes one
with His mind, the thoughts are brought
into captivity to Him; we live His life.
This is what it means to be clothed with
the garment of His righteousness. .
Righteousness is rightdoing, and it is by
their deeds that all will be judged. . . . The
works show whether the faith is genuine."
-Christ's Object Lessons,
page 312.
The Call to Become Christians
1.
What is the supreme business of
the Christian church? Matt. 28:19, 20.
2.
What must be the experience of
everyone who would be a true Chris-
tian? 2 Cor. 6:17, 18.
3.
Into what family is the Christian
adopted? Rom. 8:14-17.
The Call to Surrender
4.
What was the call of the Master
to certain disciples whom He chose?
Matt. 4:18-22; 9:9.
NOTE.-"The deeper lesson which the
miracle conveyed for the disciples is a les-
son for us also,-that He whose word
could gather the fishes from the sea could
also impress human hearts, and draw them
by the cords of His love, so that His ser-
vants might become 'fishers of men.' . . .
NOTE.
-"The
surrender of all our powers
to God greatly simplifies the problem of
life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand
struggles with the passions of the natural
heart. Religion is as a golden cord that
binds the souls of both youth and aged
to Christ. Through it the willing and
obedient are brought safely through dark
and intricate paths to the City of God."-
Messages to Young People,
page 30.
"Many who profess to be Christ's fol-
lowers have an anxious, troubled heart be-
cause they are afraid to trust themselves
with God. They do not make a complete
surrender to Him, for they shrink from
the consequences that such a surrender
may involve. Unless they do make this
surrender they cannot find peace."-The
Ministry of Healing,
pages 480, 481.
6.
What is Christ's part in the way
back to God? John 14:6.
The Steps to Christ-The Way Back
to God
7.
What essential experience is
necessary in becoming a child of
God? John 3:3.
[14
]
"Opposing circumstances
should create a firm deter-
mination to overcome them.
. . . Press with determina-
tion in the right direction,
and circumstances will be
your helpers, not your hin-
drances."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 332.
Nora.—"Nicodemus had come to the
Lord thinking to enter into a discussion
with Him, but Jesus laid bare the founda-
tion principles of truth. He said to Nico-
demus, It is not theoretical knowledge you
need so much as spiritual regeneration. . . .
The Christian's life is not a modification or
improvement of the old, but a transforma-
tion of nature. There is a death to self and
sin, and a new life altogether. This change
can be brought about only by the effectual
working of the Holy Spirit."—The
Desire of
Ages,
pages 171, 172.
8.
What term does the Scripture
use to express the experience of turn-
ing away from sin to righteousness?
Acts 3:19.
NoTE.—"The great truth of the conver-
sion of the heart by the Holy Spirit is
presented in Christ's words to Nicodemus:
`Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born from above, he cannot see the
kingdom of God. . . . That which is born
of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born
of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I
said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou
hearest the sound thereof, but canst not
tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:
so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.'
John 3:3-8, margin."—Christ's
Object Les-
sons,
page 98.
9.
What is the first step on the
sinner's part in coming to Christ?
Acts 2:37, 38.
NOTE.—"Repentance is turning from self
to
Christ."—Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing,
page 87.
"But no man can empty himself of self.
We can only consent for Christ to ac-
complish the work. Then the language of
the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for
I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep
it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save
me in spite of myself, my weak, un-Christ-
like self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me
into a pure and holy atmosphere, where
the rich current of Thy love can flow
through my
soul."—Christ's Object Les-
sons,
page 159.
10.
What besides repentance is
necessary? Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9.
NOTE.—"Those who have not humbled
their souls before God in acknowledging
their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first
condition of acceptance. If we have not
experienced that repentance which is not to
be repented of, and have not with true
humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit
confessed our sins, abhorring our iniquity,
we have never truly sought for the for-
giveness of sin; and if we have never
sought, we have never found the peace of
God."—Steps to Christ,
pages 37, 38.
"If there have been difficulties, brethren
and sisters,—if envy, malice, bitterness, evil
surmisings, have existed, confess these sins,
not in a general way, but go to your
brethren and sisters personally. Be definite."
—Ellen G. White, in
Review and Herald,
Dec. 16, 1884.
11.
What does imputed righteous-
ness bring to the believer? Rom. 4:
22 to 5:1.
NoTE.—"What is justification by
faith?
It is the work of God in laying the glory of
man in the dust, and doing for man that
which it is not in his power to do for him-
self."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 456.
12.
By what formal act do we be-
come members of the family of God?
Gal. 4:4-6; Rom. 8:14, 15.
NOTE.—"If
you make the sacrifice, if you
have to forsake father, mother, sisters,
brothers, wife, and children for Christ's
sake, you will not be friendless. God adopts
you into His family; you become mem-
bers of the royal household, sons and
daughters of the King who rules in the
heaven of
heavens."—Testimonies, vol.
1,
p.
510.
13.
What is the ultimate purpose
of God, and what is this experience
called? 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23.
NOTE.—"The
Scriptures plainly show that
the work of sanctification is progressive.
When in conversion the sinner finds peace
with God through the blood of the atone-
ment, the Christian life has but just begun.
Now he is to 'go on unto perfection;' to
grow up 'unto the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ.' [Heb. 6:1; Eph.
4:13.1 ... And Peter sets before us the steps
by which Bible sanctification is to be at-
tained. . . . 2 Peter
1:5-10."—The Great
Controversy,
page 470.
"The sanctification set forth in the Scrip-
tures embraces the entire being—spirit, soul,
and
body."—Ibid.,
p. 473.
"This is true sanctification; for sanctifi-
cation consists in the cheerful performance
of daily duties in perfect obedience to the
will of
God."—Christ's Object Lessons
page 360.
"True sanctification means perfect love.
perfect obedience, perfect conformity to
the will of God."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 565.
Thoughts for Meditation
1.
God wants men everywhere to be
saved.
2.
To the church has been given the re-
sponsibility of carrying the gospel to all the
world and through it call out those who
would be free from sin and ready for the
second coming of Christ.
3.
The Christian religion calls men out
of sin, apart from the world, into a union
and partnership with Christ.
4.
The Christian life is one of full sur-
render to God to be guided and directed by
His Spirit.
5.
To become true Christians we must
experience the new birth, following the steps
back to God through repentance and con-
fession on to our experience of justification
and sanctification, which is the process cf
restoring in man the character of God.
"Sanctification is not the work of a mo-
ment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime.
It is not gained by a happy flight of feel-
ing, but is the result of constantly dying to
sin, and constantly living for Christ."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 560.
Lesson 5, for January 30, 1965
The Christian's Heart and Mind
MEMORY VERSE:
"My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My
ways." Prov.
23:26.
STUDY HELPS:
"Testimonies," vol. 3, pp. 333-335; "The Acts of the Apostles," page
566; "Patriarchs and Prophets," page
600; "S.D.A.
Bible Commentary."
AIM:
To learn more fully what it means to have a mind like Christ's and to have
Christ living in our hearts.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
survey;
Sabbath afternoon: General
learn memory verse.
0
Sunday:
Questions 1-4.
0
Monday: Questions 5-8.
0
Check Here
Tuesday: Read lesson helps.
Wednesday: Questions 9, 10.
Thursday: Questions 11, 12.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
[ 16
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. The Heart of Man
1.
The natural condition of man's
heart. Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19.
2.
God's gracious invitation. Rev.
3:20; 22:17.
3.
The sinner's plea. Ps. 51:10, 11.
4.
God's response. Ezek. 36:26.
II. The Mind of Christ
5. The need of a change of mind.
Rom. 8:5-8.
6.
"Let this mind be in you." 1 Cor.
2:16; Phil. 2:5.
7.
Relation of mind to character.
Rom. 12:2.
•
8. Guarding the avenues to the soul.
Phil. 4:7-9.
III. Christ Dwells in the Christian's
Heart
9.
Meaning of Christ's dwelling in the
heart. Eph. 3:17-20.
10.
The new man. Eph. 4:20-24.
11.
The indwelling Christ revealed in
the life. Gal. 2:20.
12.
How to become like Christ. 2 Cor.
3:18.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"From eternal ages it was God's purpose
that every created being, from the bright
and holy seraph to man, should be a temple
for the indwelling of the Creator. Because
of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for
God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the
heart of man no longer revealed the glory
of the Divine One. But by the incarnation
of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven
is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and
through saving grace the heart of man
becomes again His temple. God designed
that the temple at Jerusalem should be a
continual witness to the high destiny open
to every soul. But the Jews had not under-
stood the significance of the building they
regarded with so much pride. They did
not yield themselves as holy temples for
the Divine Spirit. The courts of the tem-
ple at Jerusalem, filled with the tumult of
unholy traffic, represented all too truly the
temple of the heart, defiled by the presence
of sensual passion and unholy thoughts. In
cleansing the temple from the world's buy-
ers and sellers, Jesus announced His mis-
sion to cleanse the heart from the defile-
ment of sin,-from the earthly desires, the
selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt
the soul."-The
Desire of Ages,
page 161.
The Heart of Man
1. What is the natural condition
of man's heart? Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19.
NoTE.-"Men do not know their own
hearts; for 'the heart is deceitful above all
things, and desperately wicked.' Jeremiah
17:9. But God understands the tendencies
of the depraved nature of
man."-Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 688.
2.
What gracious invitation does
God give to men? Rev. 3:20; 22:17.
NoTE.-"Let us not keep back from God
that which is His own. . . . He asks for
a whole heart; give it to Him; it is His,
both by creation and by redemption. He
asks for your intellect; give it to Him; it
is
His."-The Acts of the Apostles,
page
566.
3.
What should be the sinner's
plea? Ps. 51:10, 11.
Nora.-"No man can of himself cast out
the evil throng that have taken possession
of the heart. Only Christ can cleanse the
soul temple. But He will not force an en-
trance. . . . His presence will cleanse and
sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy
temple unto the Lord, and 'an habitation
of God through the Spirit.'
"-The Desire
of Ages,
pages 161, 162. See also pages
171-176.
4.
What did God promise to do
for His people? Ezek. 36:26.
I 17
NOTE.—"The fountain of the heart must
be purified before the streams can become
pure."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 172.
"When Christ is in the heart it will be
so softened and subdued by love for God
and men that fretting, faultfinding, and
contention will not exist there. The religion
of Christ in the heart will gain for its
possessor a complete victory over those pas-
sions that are seeking for the mastery."—
Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 610.
The Mind of Christ
5.
Why do we need a change of
mind? Rom. 8:5-8.
NoTE.—"The mind, the heart, that is in-
dolent, aimless, falls an easy prey to evil.
It is on diseased, lifeless organisms that
fungus roots. It is the idle mind that is
Satan's workshop. Let the mind be directed
to high and holy ideals, let the life have a
noble aim, an absorbing purpose, and evil
finds little
foothold."—Education,
page 190.
"It is a law both of the intellectual and
the spiritual nature that by beholding we
become changed. The mind gradually
adapts itself to the subjects upon which
it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimi-
lated to that which it is accustomed to love
and reverence. Man will never rise higher
than his standard of purity or goodness or
truth."—The
Great Controversy,
page 555.
6.
Whose mind will the Christian
possess? 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5.
7.
What is the relation of mind to
character? Rom. 12:2.
NoTE.—The transformation of character
begins with the changing of one's thoughts.
"The words, 'A new heart also will I give
you' (Ezekiel 36:26), mean, A new mind
will I give you. This change of heart is
always attended by a clear conception of
Christian duty, an understanding of truth.
The clearness of our view of truth will be
proportionate to our understanding of the
Word of
God."—Counsels to Parents,
Teachers, and Students,
page 452.
8.
What can and must the Christian
do to see that the mind feeds on right
and proper things? Phil. 4:7-9.
NOTE.—"The mind, the soul, is built up
by that upon which it feeds; and it rests
with us to determine upon what it shall be
fed. It is within the power of everyone
to choose the topics that shall occupy the
thoughts and shape the character."—Educa-
tion, pages 126, 127.
"As the mind dwel:s upon Christ, the
character is molded after the divine simili-
tude. The thoughts are pervaded with a
sense of His goodness, His love. We con-
template His character, and thus He is in
all our thoughts. . . . Here again there is
the realization of a personal, living influ-
ence dwelling in our hearts by
faith."—
Testmionies to Ministers,
pages 388, 389.
Christ Dwells in the
Christian's Heart
"Never should the Bible be
studied without prayer. Be-
fore opening its pages we
should ask for the enlighten-
ment of the Holy Spirit, and
it will be
given."—Steps to
Christ,
page 91.
9. What heart experience should
the Christian have? Eph. 3:17-20.
NOTE.—"Christ dwelling in our hearts by
faith means the contemplation of Christ,
beholding Christ, ever cherishing the dear
Saviour as our very best and honored
Friend, so that we would not in any action
grieve and offend
Him."—Testimonies to
Ministers,
page 387.
[
18]
10.
What experience accompanies
the renewal of the mind? Eph. 4:
20-24.
NoTE.—"The growth of every Christian
is from within, not from without. It is
only as the Spirit of Christ dwells in the
heart by faith that we can grow in grace
and the knowledge of Christ. Only through
the grace daily drawn from Jesus can the
heart be kept. There can be no safety in
extolling self; we must hide self in Jesus.
Christ abiding within, is the life of the
soul. And we are to receive Christ through
His Word. It is the truth that sanctifies the
soul."—Ellen G. White, in
Review and
Herald,
Feb. 16, 1892.
11.
What will Christ dwelling in
our hearts do for us? Gal. 2:20.
NOTE.—"Christ abiding in the heart
shines out in the faces of those who love
Him and keep His commandments. Truth
is written there. The sweet peace of heaven
is revealed. There is expressed a habitual
gentleness, a more than human love."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 102.
12.
How do we become like Christ?
2 Cor. 3:18.
NOTE.—"A life in Christ is a life of rest-
fulness. There may be no ecstasy of feel-
ing, but there should be an abiding, peace-
ful trust. Your hope is not in yourself ; it
is in Christ. Your weakness is united to
His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom,
your frailty to His enduring might. So you
are not to look to yourself, not to let the
mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ.
Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the
beauty, the perfection, of His character.
Christ in His sell-denial, Christ in His
humiliation, Christ in His purity and holi-
"God desires us to choose the
heavenly in place of the
earthly. He opens before us
the possibilities of a heav-
enly investment." "Let your
property go beforehand to
heaven. Lay up your trea-
sures beside the throne of
God."—Christ's Object Les-
sons,
pages 374, 375.
ness, Christ in His matchless love—this is
the subject for the soul's contemplation. It
is by loving Him, copying Him, depending
wholly upon Him, that you are to be trans-
formed into His likeness."—Steps
to Christ,
pages 70, 71.
Thoughts for Meditation
1.
God so loved the world that He gave
His Son to be my Saviour, and I so loved
God that I gave my heart to become His
abiding place. "I pray that Christ may
make His home in your hearts through
your faith." Eph. 3:17, Weymouth.
2.
What comes out of a man's heart de-
pends upon what he puts into his heart.
3.
Christianity is not so much how to get
a
man into heaven by and by, as it is how
to get heaven into a man's heart here and
now.
4.
"There is an eloquence far more
powerful than the eloquence of words in
the quiet, consistent life of a pure, true
Christian. What a man is has more in-
fluence than what he says.
"The officers who were sent to Jesus
came back with the report that never man
spoke as He spoke. But the reason for
this was that never man lived as He lived.
Had his life been other than it was, He
could not have spoken as He
did."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 469.
Tape-recorded mission appeals for the Thirteenth Sabbath
projects are available for offering promotion in the Sab-
bath school. Order through your Book and Bible House.
[ 19 ]
Lesson 6, for February 6, 1965
The Christian's Body
MEMORY VERSE:
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For
ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.
STUDY HELPS:
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 346-351 (1923 ed., pp. 349-354);
"Prophets and Kings," page
489;
"S.D.A. Bible Commentary."
AIM:
To show the importance of presenting and preserving our bodies as fit
temples for the Holy Spirit to dwell in.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
❑
Monday: Start reading study helps.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 4-6; continue
study helps.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 7-10.
❑
Thursday: Learn memory verse;
questions 11, 12.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson;
Thoughts for Meditation.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. "Ye Are Not Your Own"
1.
Our bodies are the temple of God.
1 Cor. 6:19, 20.
2.
Flesh and Spirit contrasted. Rom.
8:5-9.
3.
Control of body essential. 1 Cor.
9:27.
II. "Present Your Bodies, . . . Holy,
Acceptable"
4.
"A living sacrifice." Rom. 12:1.
5.
The great objective. 1 Thess. 5:23.
6.
The body temple. Isa. 57:15.
III. Keeping Fit
7.
God's desire for His people.
3 John 2.
8.
Temperate in all things. 1 Cor. 9:
25-27.
IV. Living for God and His Kingdom
9.
God's purpose for His people.
2 Cor. 3:2-4; Isa. 43:10; Acts 1:8.
10.
The attitude of the true Christian.
1 Cor. 10:31.
11.
A commendable example. Dan. 1:8.
12.
The essence of the kingdom of God.
Rom. 14:17.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"The body is the only medium through
which the mind and the soul are developed
for the upbuilding of character. Hence it is
that the adversary of souls directs his temp-
tations to the enfeebling and degrading of
the physical powers. His success here
means the surrender to evil of the whole
being. The tendencies of our physical na-
ture, unless under the dominion of a higher
power, will surely work ruin and death.
The body is to be brought into subjection."
—The Ministry of Healing,
page 130.
120
7
"Ye Are Not Your Own"
1.
What is our body declared to
be? 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.
2.
How does Paul contrast the life
"after the flesh" and the life "after the
Spirit"? Rom. 8:5-9.
3.
What control did Paul exercise
over his body? 1 Cor. 9:27.
NOTE.—"The laws that govern our physi-
cal organism, God has written upon every
nerve, muscle, and fiber of the body. Every
careless or willful violation of these laws
is a sin against our Creator. . . .
"The power of the will and the impor-
tance of self-control, both in the preserva-
tion and in the recovery of health, the
depressing and even ruinous effect of
anger, discontent, selfishness, or impurity,
and, on the other hand, the marvelous life-
giving power to be found in cheerfulness,
unselfishness, gratitude, should also be
shown."—Education,
pages 196, 197.
"Present Your Bodies, . . . Holy,
Acceptable"
4.
What is the Christian enjoined
to do? Rom. 12:1.
NOTE.—"It is impossible for a man to
present his body a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, while continuing to
indulge habits that are depriving him of
physical, mental, and moral
vigor."—Coun-
sels on Health,
page 23.
"Sanctification is not merely a theory,
an emotion, or a form of words, but a
living, active principle, entering into the
everyday life. It requires that our habits
of eating, drinking, and dressing be such
as to secure the preservation of physical,
mental, and moral health, that we may
present to the Lord our bodies—not an
offering corrupted by wrong habits, but—
'a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God.'
"—Ibid.,
p. 67.
"As it is through the body that all the
evil that is in the unrenewed heart comes
forth in palpable manifestation and action,
so it is through the body that the gracious
principles and affections of believers reveal
themselves in the outward life. The Chris-
tian must never forget that as corruption
extends to the whole man, so does sancti-
fication."—Critical
and Experimental Com-
mentary,
vol. 6, p. 263.
5.
In what condition is the body
to be preserved? 1 Thess. 5:23.
NOTE.—"The body is to be brought into
subjection. The higher powers of the being
are to rule. The passions are to be controlled
by the will, which is itself to be under the
control of God. The kingly power of rea-
son, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear
sway in our lives.
"The requirements of God must be
brought home to the conscience. Men and
women must be awakened to the duty of
self-mastery, the need of purity, freedom
from every depraving appetite and defiling
habit. They need to be impressed with the
fact that all their powers of mind and
body are the gift of God, and are to be
preserved in the best possible condition
for His service."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 130.
6.
In whose heart does God prom-
ise to dwell? Isa. 57:15.
Keeping Fit
7.
What was John's wish concern-
ing Gaius? 3 John 2. Compare Ps.
103:1-5.
NoTE.—"We cannot be too often re-
minded that health does not depend on
chance. It is a result of obedience to law.
This is recognized by the contestants in
[ 21 ]
the right food for God's people. . . . We
are not to make the use of flesh food a
test of fellowship."—Ibid., p. 159.
"Among those who are waiting for the
coming of the Lord, meat eating will even-
tually be done away: flesh will cease to
form a part of their diet. . . .
"Those who have received instruction re-
garding the evils of the use of flesh foods,
tea, and coffee, . . . and who are deter-
mined to make a covenant with God by
sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their
appetite for food that they know to be
unhealthful."—Counsels
on Diet and Foods,
pages 380, 381.
"Those who desire to be co-workers with
God must consider carefully before they
specify just what foods should and should
not be
eaten."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 163.
12. What transcends meat and
drink insofar as the kingdom of
heaven is concerned? Rom. 14:17.
Thoughts for Meditation
1.
The spiritual nature must control the
lower nature, for the lower nature is in
a state of enmity to God. Rom. 8:7. The
spiritual nature in control means life and
peace. Rom. 8:6. Those controlled by the
lower nature cannot please God. Rom. 8:8.
2.
"Christians have many sources of hap-
piness at their command, and they
.
may tell
with unerring accuracy what pleasures are
lawful and right. They may enjoy such
recreations as will not dissipate the mind or
debase the soul, such as will not disappoint
and leave a sad after influence to destroy
self-respect or bar the way to usefulness.
If they can take Jesus with them and main-
tain a prayerful spirit, they are perfectly
safe."—The
Adventist Home,
page 513.
3.
Righteousness is more than eating and
drinking. Some people may lose their souls
while sitting as judges of other men's diet.
Lesson 7, for February 13, 1965
The Christian's Possessions
MEMORY VERSE:
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought noth-
ing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having
food and raiment let us be therewith content." 1 Tim.
6:6-8.
STUDY HELPS:
"Testimonies," vol. 1, pp. 170-178; "Christ's Object Lessons," pages
351, 352 (1923 ed., pp. 354, 355); "S.D.A. Bible Commentary."
AIM:
To remind ourselves that God is the owner of all, and that we are but
stewards of what we claim as our possessions.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
read Introduction.
❑
Sunday: Questions
1-3;
learn
memory verse.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-7; read study
helps.
❑
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 8-13.
0
Wednesday: Read study helps.
0
Thursday: Study memory verse and
Thoughts for Meditation.
0
Friday: Review entire lesson;
finish study helps.
❑
.
23
5.
What additional relationship
does God sustain to the Christian?
1 Peter 1:18, 19.
6.
How much of the earth belongs
to God? Ps. 24:1; 50:10-12.
NoTE.—"All the good that man enjoys
comes because of the mercy of God. He is
the great and bountiful Giver. His love
is manifest to all in the abundant provision
made for
man."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 385.
7.
In acquring means, what should
man remember? Deut. 8:18.
NoTE.—"God also entrusts men with
means. He gives them power to get wealth.
. . . Our money has not been given us that
we might honor and glorify ourselves. . . .
All we possess is the Lord's, and we are
accountable to Him for the use we make
of it. In the use of every penny, it will be
seen whether we love God supremely and
our neighbor as ourselves."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 351.
God's Plan for the Support of
His Work
8.
What is God's plan for the sup-
port of the gospel ministry? 1 Cor.
9:7, 13, 14.
NOTE.—"God's chosen messengers, who
are engaged in aggressive labor, should
never be compelled to go a warfare at their
own charges, unaided by the sympathetic
and hearty support of their brethren. . . .
Is not the work of disseminating truth, and
leading souls to Christ, of more importance
than any ordinary business? And are not
those who faithfully engage in this work
justly entitled to ample remuneration? By
our estimate of the relative value of labor
for moral and for physical good, we show
our appreciation of the heavenly in con-
trast with the earthly."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
pages 340, 341.
9.
What special portion of Israel's
income did God claim, and how was
it used? Lev. 27:30; Num. 18:21.
10.
Name some ancient examples
of those who paid a tithe of their in-
crease. Heb. 7:1, 2; Gen. 28:20-22.
11.
On one occasion, what did Je-
sus say about the tithe system? Matt.
23:23.
12.
What blessing did God promise
to bestow on those who brought all
the tithe into the storehouse? Mal.
3:10, 11.
NoTE.—"The Lord created every tree in
Eden pleasant to the eyes and good for
food, and He bade Adam and Eve freely
enjoy His bounties. But He made one ex-
ception. Of the tree of knowledge of good
and evil they were not to eat. This tree
God reserved as a constant reminder of His
ownership of all. Thus He gave them op-
portunity to demonstrate their faith and
trust in Him by their perfect obedience to
His requirements.
"So it is with God's claims upon us. He
places His treasures in the hands of men,
but requires that one tenth shall be faith-
fully laid aside for His work. He re-
quires this portion to be placed in His
treasury. It is to be rendered to Him as
His own; it is sacred and is to be used for
sacred purposes, for the support of those
who carry the message of salvation to all
parts of the world. . . . By faithfully obey-
ing this requirement we acknowledge that
all belongs to
God."—Testimonies,
vol. 6,
p. 386.
13.
What is required of stewards?
1 Cor. 4:2.
L
25]
NarE.-"Every Christian is a steward of
God, entrusted with His goods. . . . A
steward identifies himself with his master.
He accepts the responsibilities of a steward,
and he must act in his master's stead,
doing as his master would do were he
presiding. His master's interests become his.
The position of a steward is one of dignity
bescause his master trusts
him."-Testimo-
nies,
vol. 9, p. 246.
Thoughts for Meditation
1.
God's plan for the salvation of the
lost embraces the whole world.
2.
God's ownership is based on creation
and redemption.
3.
In God's plan for the support of His
work, He calls upon His people to be faith-
ful stewards.
Lesson 8, for February 20, 1965
The Christian's Time
MEMORY VERSE: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant,
nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates."
Exodus 20:10.
STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 342-346 (1923 ed., pp. 345-349);
"Testimonies," vol. 3, p. 146; vol. 4, p. 412; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary."
AIM: To show that our time belongs to God to be used as He directs.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-5.
❑
Monday: Questions 6-11; study
memory verse.
❑
Tuesday: Read study helps.
❑
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 12-14;
Thoughts for Meditation.
Thursday: Finish study helps.
.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Allocation of Our Time
1.
A time for everything. Eccl. 3:1-8.
2.
A time to work. Ex. 20:9.
3.
A time to relax. Mark 6:31.
4.
A time to sleep. Eccl. 5:12; Prov.
6:9-11.
5.
A time to pray. Matt. 14:23; Luke
6:12; 18:1.
II. The Sabbath Is God's Time
6.
The Sabbath instituted. Gen. 2:1, 2.
7.
The Sabbath sanctified. Gen.
2:3.
8. Man's relation to the Sabbath. Ex.
20:8-11; Isa. 58:13, 14.
III. God's Memorial a Sign
9. A perpetual memorial. Ex. 31:16,
17; Isa. 66:22, 23.
10. A sign of sanctification. Ezek.
20:12; Ex. 31:13-17.
11. Christ the Lord of the Sabbath.
Matt. 12:8-12.
IV. The Test and Blessing of Obedience
12. The third angel's message. Rev.
14:9-12.
13. The question of obedience. Acts
5:29.
14. The blessings of obedience. Isa.
58:13, 14; 56:6, 7.
[ 26 ]
will be drawn."—Thc
Desire of Ages,
page
763.
"The Sabbath will be the great test of
loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially
controverted. When the final test shall be
brought to bear upon men, then the line
of distinction will be drawn between those
who serve God and those who serve Him
not."—The
Great Controversy,
page 605.
14. What blessings did Isaiah
promise to those who observe the
Sabbath? Isa. 58:13, 14; 56:6, 7.
Thoughts for Meditation
1.
Our days and years are limited. There-
fore "teach us to number our days." Ps.
90:10, 12.
2.
Time is the substance out of which life
is made. Time must be used, not saved.
When lost it can never be recalled.
3.
The seventh-day Sabbath is God's por-
tion of the time He gives to man. The use
you make of that time is a measure of your
love and loyalty to God.
Lesson 9, for February 27, 1965
The Christian's Home and Family
MEMORY VERSE:
"If it seem evil unto you
whom ye will serve: . . . but as for
Lord." Joshua 24:15.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Adventist Home," pa
AIM:
To review the principles upon which
to serve the Lord, choose you this day
me and my house, we will serve the
ges 15-28; "S.D.A. Bible Commentary."
a Christian home is to be founded.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
Tuesday: Questions 6-10.
0
learn memory verse.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 11-14.
0
Sunday: Questions 1-3; Introduction.
❑
Thursday: Finish reading study
Monday: Questions 4, 5; read study
helps; review memory verse.
helps.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. The Home Is of God's Planning
1.
God established the home. Matt.
19:4-6; Gen. 1:27, 28.
2.
The ideal wife and mother. Prov.
31:10-12, 26-28.
3.
Proper relations between husband
and wife. Eph. 5:22-31.
II. God's Ideal of a Home
4.
The home of Adam and Eve. Gen.
2:8.
5.
The homelife of Jesus. Luke 2:39,
40, 51, 52.
III. Counsel for Parents
6.
Love one another. Col. 3:13-20.
7.
"Fathers, provoke not your chil-
dren." Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21.
[ 29 ]
by and by, as it is how to get heaven into
a man here and now.
6. "Heaven's golden gate opens not to
the self-exalted. It is not lifted up to the
proud in spirit. But the everlasting portals
will open wide to the trembling touch of
a little child. Blessed will be the recompense
of grace to those who have wrought fix
God in the simplicity of faith and love."-
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 404.
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
March 27, 1965
SOUTHERN ASIA DIVISION
The great Southern Asia Division, to which the overflow of the
Thirteenth Sabbath Offering goes this quarter, has the lowest ratio of
Seventh-day Adventists to total population of any of the world divisions
except the Middle East Division. Surely the task of preaching the
gospel in this division is gigantic! Increased means are needed to train
laborers to carry out the task assigned God's people in Southern Asia.
That is exactly what the overflow will be used for this quarter. It will
help to provide additional secondary-school facilities for the Andhra
Section of our work in the South India Union. Considering the meager
educational facilities we have had in this field, it is remarkable what
has been accomplished, but many of our own young people have had
to turn to the schools of the world for their education. This trend must
be stopped, for we need this trained leadership to give the message in
these stressful times.
Southern Asia wants to express in advance its thanks for the liberal
and loyal support of the Sabbath school membership around the world
in this project this quarter.
Lessons for the Second Quarter of 1965
Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior
Lesson Quarterly
for the second quarter of 1965 will be helped by the following outline in studying
the first lesson. The title of the lessons for the quarter is, "When the World Was
Young." The title of the first lesson is "The Creator of the Universe." The memory
verse is Ephesians 3:17-19. Study helps are
Evangelism,
pages 613-617;
Patriarchs
and Prophets,
pages 33-43; and
Selected Messages,
b. 1, pp. 246-251. The texts
to be studied are:
Ques. 1. John 1:1-3 ; Heb. 11:3.
Ques. 8. Mal. 3:6; James 1:17.
Ques. 2. Ps. 90:1, 2; Isa. 40:28.
Ques. 9. Deut. 6:4; Isa 44:6.
Ques. 3. Ps. 139:7-12 ; Jer. 23:23, 24.
Ques. 10. Matt. 28:19, 20; 2 Cor. 13:14.
Ques. 4. Col. 2:2, 3; Isa. 40:28.
Ques. 11. John 1:1-3; 17:5.
Ques. 5.. Jer. 32:17; Matt: 19:26.
Ques. 12. John 16:7, 13.
Ques. 6. Ex. 3:13-15.
Ques. 13. Ps. 139:1-18, 23, 24.
Ques. 7. Ps. 8:3, 4; Eccl. 8:17.
Ques. 14. 1 John 4:8; Eph. 3:17-19.
46
NAGA?
UNIONS
!OPERATION CHURCHES
CU.
MEM. SS. MEM.
Bonne Union
22,627,935
46
3,134
4,501
Ceylon Union
10,825030
13
709
1,002
Northeast Union
124,411,155
68
3,664
5,604
Northwestern India Union
185,500,030
25
1EE0
3,713
Pakistan Union
100070000
44
2,885
9,088
South India Union
110,075,304
170
14,255
14,412
Western India Union
48,2E6,174
27
1,843
3,276
Union Totals
601,704,568
393
28,359
41,596
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